We are currently witnessing a paradox in climate governance (CG): despite growing awareness of the socio-biophysical impacts of current lifestyles, there remains a persistent commitment to high-consumption habits with large carbon footprints. Around this paradox, a debate on responsibility for change has developed. Which actor can and should do what to solve the problem?
Simultaneously, however, scholars depict trends towards ‘organized irresponsibility‘ (Beck, 1988) and individual responsibilization bound to be ineffective in the context of existing structural challenges. The most likely result of such dynamics is a responsibility ping-pong, where actors assign responsibility to each other, which, in turn, invites the question of how it might be overcome.
What other forms of talking about and organizing responsibility might exist that could provide an actual basis for transformative change? Disentangling discourses around responsibility in CG is crucial for enabling a shift in consumption patterns and lifestyles that are compatible with the 1.5° Paris climate target. This article pursues this objective.
Responsibility Dynamics
Responsibility Ping-Pong
The concept of ‘responsibility ping-pong‘ strongly builds on Beck’s (1988) notion of ‘organized irresponsibility’ as well as scholarly critiques of responsibilization as an instrument of neoliberal governance (Uggla, 2018). Beck (1988) argues that instead of addressing accountability directly, institutions and governments often create systems that diffuse responsibility among various actors, leading to a collective failure to act on pressing problems, such as climate change.
Young (2006) equally critiques the absence or misdirection of political responsibility in climate and environmental governance, emphasizing how both structural and actor dynamics perpetuate socio-ecological injustices (Eckersley, 2016; Gumbert, 2022). Both scholars criticize the fragmentation of responsibility that results from a lack of organization as well as a collective evasion of fragmented responsibilities. This collective evasion materializes in shifting blame onto one another, which can best be described as ‘responsibility ping-pong’.
Accountability Challenges
Scholars have highlighted the focus of dominant concepts of responsibility in (environmental) governance on individual accountability and liability, arguing that it is too narrow, blame-focused, and backward-looking to enable transformative change (Park and Kramarz, 2019; Gumbert, 2022). This critique does not suggest that irresponsible actors should evade criticism or accountability for their actions, nor does it entirely dismiss the value of responsibility understood as blame or liability within a legal system. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of questioning dominant conceptualizations of responsibility and of understanding the structural causes and consequences of organized irresponsibility (Gumbert, 2022).
Collaborative Approaches
Drawing on Foucauldian thought, other scholars have argued that we can witness a process of ‘responsibilization’, with governments shifting responsibility to individuals (as consumers or citizens), private actors like businesses, local authorities, and communities (Uggla, 2018). From this perspective, responsibilization is a core element of neoliberal governance, aiming at encouraging individuals to take responsibility for sustainability in their role as consumers, while failing to address the broader structural conditions that shape consumer behavior (Soneryd and Uggla, 2015; Pyysiäinen et al, 2017; Mustalahti et al, 2020; Hirth et al, 2023).
Following Young (2006), we argue that the organization of shared responsibility among different societal actors has the potential to provide a basis for more effective CG, in general, and for achieving 1.5° lifestyles, in particular. The need to move beyond a focus on individual efforts becomes particularly clear when considering the role of ideational and material structures as barriers and enablers of transformation and lifestyle change (Hirth et al, 2023; Kreinin et al, 2024a).
Young’s concept of shared responsibility (SR) emphasizes collective efforts and a justice-oriented approach, transcending the traditional liability framework and the dynamic of blame-shifting. Social structures, she explains, provide the ‘background conditions for individual actions by presenting actors with options’ that can both enable and constrain their actions (Young, 2006: 112). The central idea is that individuals’ daily lives are shaped by their social positions within these structures, which in turn influence their behavior.
Climate Change Mitigation Strategies
Sectoral Emission Reductions
To achieve the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement, concerted efforts across various sectors are required. In the power sector, the rapid expansion of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, is crucial. Europe has been a leader in this transition, with countries like Germany, Spain, and Sweden making significant strides in installed capacity and generation from these clean energy technologies.
Complementing this, the development of hydrogen production and infrastructure is gaining momentum, with pilot projects exploring the potential of this versatile energy carrier to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors like industry and heavy transport. Policy frameworks, such as the EU Hydrogen Strategy, are providing the necessary regulatory and financial support to drive these innovations forward.
Technological Innovations
In addition to renewable electricity and hydrogen, other technological solutions are also playing a key role in the transition. Improvements in battery storage technologies are enhancing grid flexibility and enabling the integration of variable renewable sources. Similarly, advancements in carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies offer pathways to address residual emissions and potentially achieve net-zero emissions targets.
Policy and Regulatory Frameworks
Underpinning these technological developments are robust policy and regulatory frameworks. The EU’s Fit for 55 package, for instance, outlines a comprehensive set of climate and energy policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. This includes emissions trading schemes, renewable energy targets, and energy efficiency standards, all of which are crucial for incentivizing and enabling the transition.
Stakeholder Engagement
Multi-stakeholder Collaboration
Achieving the 1.5°C goal requires the active engagement of a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society, and citizens. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as a key mechanism for driving collaborative climate action, leveraging the expertise and resources of both the public and private sectors.
These partnerships can take various forms, such as power purchase agreements (PPAs) between renewable energy producers and corporate buyers, or joint ventures to develop innovative technologies and business models. By aligning the interests and responsibilities of different actors, PPPs can accelerate the deployment of clean energy solutions and foster a shared sense of ownership in the transition.
Community-driven Initiatives
Alongside top-down policy efforts, community-based initiatives are also playing a vital role in driving the shift to sustainable lifestyles. Grassroots organizations, cooperatives, and local authorities are spearheading projects that empower citizens to adopt low-carbon behaviors, such as renewable energy generation, sustainable mobility, and circular economy practices.
These community-led efforts not only contribute to emissions reductions but also foster a sense of shared responsibility and civic engagement, as citizens become active participants in shaping their local environment and contributing to the global climate goals.
Citizen Participation
The involvement of citizens, both as consumers and as engaged citizens, is crucial for the success of the energy transition. Awareness-raising campaigns and educational programs can help individuals understand the impact of their choices and empower them to adopt more sustainable behaviors.
Furthermore, participatory decision-making processes that include citizens’ voices can ensure that the transition is responsive to their needs and concerns, ultimately enhancing the legitimacy and resilience of climate policies and actions.
Equitable Transition
Just Transition Principles
As the shift to a low-carbon economy gains momentum, it is essential that the transition is just and equitable, ensuring that the benefits and burdens are distributed fairly across society. This includes protecting the livelihoods of workers in carbon-intensive industries, supporting vulnerable communities, and addressing historical inequities.
Adherence to just transition principles, such as social dialogue, worker retraining, and community-driven planning, can help ensure that the transition is inclusive and does not exacerbate existing socio-economic disparities.
Inclusive Decision-making
Achieving a just transition also requires inclusive decision-making processes that amplify the voices of marginalized groups and ensure their needs and perspectives are fully integrated into climate policies and actions. This may involve increasing representation of diverse stakeholders in policy-making bodies, as well as engaging with local communities to understand their unique challenges and priorities.
Vulnerable Communities’ Needs
Particular attention must be paid to the needs of vulnerable communities, such as low-income households, the elderly, and those living in remote or disadvantaged regions. Targeted social protection measures, energy poverty alleviation programs, and community-based resilience-building initiatives can help ensure that the transition does not disproportionately burden these groups.
By embracing the principles of shared responsibility, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and equitable transition, Europe can chart a pathway towards a 1.5°C future that is not only environmentally sustainable but also socially just and inclusive. This holistic approach to climate governance is essential for mobilizing the collective action necessary to address the climate crisis and create a better, more resilient future for all.